Campaign Finance National: “Duped into Making a Bogus Campaign Donation? Call a Prosecutor” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg Government Oklahoma: “Does Citizens United Apply to Cherokee Nation Election Campaigns? Hearing Set to Consider Possible Disqualification of Cherokee Chief Candidate David […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Duped into Making a Bogus Campaign Donation? Call a Prosecutor” by Kenneth Doyle for Bloomberg Government
Oklahoma: “Does Citizens United Apply to Cherokee Nation Election Campaigns? Hearing Set to Consider Possible Disqualification of Cherokee Chief Candidate David Walkingstick” by Corey Jones for Tulsa World
Oregon: “Prosecutor’s $500 Donation to Judge’s Campaign Draws Ethics Complaint” by Aimee Green for Portland Oregonian
Ethics
National: “Rudy Giuliani Cancels His Trip to Ukraine, Blaming Democrats’ ‘Spin’” by Kenneth Vogel (New York Times) for MSN
National: “White House Asked McGahn to Declare Trump Never Obstructed Justice” by Michael Schmidt (New York Times) for MSN
National: “Trump and His Allies Are Blocking More Than 20 Separate Democratic Probes in an All-Out War with Congress” by Rachael Bade and Seung Min Kim (Washington Post) for MSN
Missouri: “St. Louis Economic Development Chief Pleads Guilty in Pay-to-Play Scheme; Stenger Donor Indicted” by Robert Patrick and Jeremy Kohler for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Lobbying
Canada: “Watchdog Warns Lobbyists About Partisan Fundraisers, Expressing Political Views” by Carl Meyer for National Observer
Procurement
Mississippi: “Pay to Play? Why Did Mississippi Lawmakers Give This Company So Much Education Money?” by Giacomo Bologna for Jackson Clarion-Ledger
Campaign Finance National: “Federal Election Commission Lays Bare Internal Conflicts and Challenges in Letter to Congress” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Responsive Politics California: “Some Donors Sought Out by Garcetti’s PAC Don’t Have to Be Disclosed” by Dakota Smith […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Federal Election Commission Lays Bare Internal Conflicts and Challenges in Letter to Congress” by Dave Levinthal for Center for Responsive Politics
California: “Some Donors Sought Out by Garcetti’s PAC Don’t Have to Be Disclosed” by Dakota Smith for Los Angeles Times
Massachusetts: “Regulators Slash the Dollar Amount Unions Can Donate to Candidates in Mass.” by Matt Stout for Boston Globe
South Dakota: “Federal Judge Strikes Down IM 24 as Unconstitutional” by Lisa Kaczek for Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Ethics
National: “Rudy Giuliani Plans Ukraine Trip to Push for Inquiries That Could Help Trump” by Kenneth Vogel for New York Times
Canada: “Lynn Beyak Suspended from Senate Over Refusal to Delete Racist Letters from Website” by Joan Bryden (Canadian Press) for Vancouver Sun
Florida: “Prolific Tallahassee Businessman J.T. Burnette Indicted in FBI Corruption Investigation” by Jeff Burlew for Tallahassee Democrat
Pennsylvania: “Former Philly City Representative Desiree Peterkin Bell Pleads Guilty to Corruption Charges” by Chris Palmer for Philadelphia Inquirer
Legislative Assembly of Ontario building - Saforrest (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)
On April 29, a bill was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for purposes of clarifying certain contributions. Bill 103, the Election Finances Amendment Act (Leadership Fundraising Loophole) 2019, amends the Election Finances Act and provides that contributions to […]
On April 29, a bill was introduced in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for purposes of clarifying certain contributions.
Bill 103, the Election Finances Amendment Act (Leadership Fundraising Loophole) 2019, amends the Election Finances Act and provides that contributions to a leadership campaign following a leadership vote may only be used for the purpose of paying off campaign debt.
If passed, the private member’s bill introduced by MPP John Fraser, will come into effect on the day it receives Royal Assent.
U.S. District Judge Charles Kornmann struck down a ban on out-of-state contributions to ballot question committees recently passed by voters. Kornmann found Initiated Measure 24 unconstitutional because it violates First Amendment rights to engage in political speech. Additionally, Kornmann said […]
U.S. District Judge Charles Kornmann struck down a ban on out-of-state contributions to ballot question committees recently passed by voters.
Kornmann found Initiated Measure 24 unconstitutional because it violates First Amendment rights to engage in political speech.
Additionally, Kornmann said the measure violates the Commerce Clause by interfering with the free flow of money between persons from another state and South Dakota committees.
The ruling is a permanent injunction that stops the planned implementation on July 1.
The state must now determine if it will appeal the decision to the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
South Carolina Capitol Building
The 123rd General Assembly adjourned at 5 p.m. Thursday after approving a resolution allowing lawmakers to reconvene for a statewide session beginning May 20. Concurrent Resolution 785 provides that the General Assembly meet in a statewide session to consider special […]
The 123rd General Assembly adjourned at 5 p.m. Thursday after approving a resolution allowing lawmakers to reconvene for a statewide session beginning May 20.
Concurrent Resolution 785 provides that the General Assembly meet in a statewide session to consider special matters including any vetoes by Gov. Henry McMaster.
Additionally, the Assembly will consider bills that have passed both Houses in different versions and are in a conference committee.
The General Assembly will return at noon on May 20 and continue until not later than 5 p.m. on May 22.
Long Beach, California
City officials are accepting applications for the ethics commission approved by voters last November. The charter amendment established a seven-member ethics commission. The ethics commission will implement campaign finance, lobbying, conflicts of interest, and governmental ethics laws. Qualified applicants may […]
City officials are accepting applications for the ethics commission approved by voters last November.
The charter amendment established a seven-member ethics commission.
The ethics commission will implement campaign finance, lobbying, conflicts of interest, and governmental ethics laws.
Qualified applicants may not concurrently hold elective office, work as an officer for a city candidate campaign, be a city employee, or employ or be employed by anyone required to register as a city lobbyist.
The mayor and city auditor will make four appointments to be confirmed by City Council.
The remaining three members will be appointed by the confirmed commissioners.
The deadline for submitting applications is June 7.
Business women in the Greater Akron Region gathered to honor Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling at the Greater Akron Chamber’s Knowledgeable Network of Women (KNOW) Empowering Women Luncheon on May 8 at the Fairlawn Hilton. As WKYC-TV’s first female chief meteorologist […]
Business women in the Greater Akron Region gathered to honor Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling at the Greater Akron Chamber’s Knowledgeable Network of Women (KNOW) Empowering Women Luncheon on May 8 at the Fairlawn Hilton.
As WKYC-TV’s first female chief meteorologist and creator of Channel 3’s Weather Education Day with the Cleveland Indians, Kling addressed the daily challenges professional women face in striving to manage work and family life.
Kling narrated her journey in building her career and emphasizing the importance of setting aside occasional personal time.
She said taking time for herself strengthens the way she is able to help those around her.
Campaign Finance National: “Trump Endorsed a Super PAC Supporting Him – and Here’s Why That Might Not Be a Legal Problem” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee for Washington Post Michigan: “Attorney General, Confused About How Nonprofit Tied to Duggan Operates” […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Trump Endorsed a Super PAC Supporting Him – and Here’s Why That Might Not Be a Legal Problem” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee for Washington Post
Michigan: “Attorney General, Confused About How Nonprofit Tied to Duggan Operates” by Joe Guillen and Kat Stafford for Detroit Free Press
Elections
Virginia: “Ex-Rep. Scott Taylor Threatens Virginia Democrats Over Election Fraud Allegations” by Griffin Connolly for Roll Call
Ethics
Georgia: “A Mayor Reportedly Said Her City Isn’t Ready for Black Leader. A Council Member Went Further.” by Michael Price-Sadler for Washington Post
Maryland: “UMMS Scandal: Medical system board chairman, two others resign as additional contract revealed” by Luke Broadwater and Kevin Rector for Baltimore Sun
Ohio: “Ohio Ethics Commission: Five Cincinnati City Council members can’t vote on texting motion” by Nick Swartsell for Cincinnati City Beat
Tennessee: “Tennessee House Speaker’s Chief of Staff Resigns Amid Sexually Explicit Texts Scandal” by Joel Ebert and Natalie Allison (The Tennessean) for USA Today
Washington DC: “FOIA Restrictions Would Shield D.C. Officials Who Use Email for Personal Business” by Peter Jamison for Washington Post
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum by Senior Master Sgt. David H Lipp
Gov. Doug Burgum signed the last 53 bills remaining from the 2019 North Dakota legislative session, including House Bill 1521 and Senate Bill 2148. House Bill 1521 establishes an ethics commission to hold state elected officials and legislators accountable. The […]
Gov. Doug Burgum signed the last 53 bills remaining from the 2019 North Dakota legislative session, including House Bill 1521 and Senate Bill 2148.
House Bill 1521 establishes an ethics commission to hold state elected officials and legislators accountable.
The bill also requires a lobbyist who expends an amount greater than $200 for the purpose of lobbying to file a report with the Office of Secretary of State.
The report must include the source of the funds and prohibits a lobbyist from giving, soliciting, or facilitating a gift to a public official with a value of over $60.
Additionally, the bill requires any person who expends an amount greater than $200 to influence state government action file a report with the Office of Secretary of State on or before August 1.
The sections of House Bill 1521 establishing an ethics commission became effective on May 2, while the sections on report filing become effective on January 5, 2021.
Senate Bill 2148 requires the legislative management to study the implementation and requirements of Article XIV of the Constitution of North Dakota.
The study concerns the transparency of funding sources, lobbyists, responsibilities of the ethics commission, and a review of existing laws and laws enacted to implement Article XIV.
The legislative management must report its findings and recommendations to the 67th Legislative Assembly, with any legislation necessary to implement the recommendations.
Senate Bill 2148 becomes effective on August 1.
A special election will take place on October 8 for City Council Districts 1, 6, and 7. The seats were filled through appointments following vacancies late last year and early January. The council appointed Clinton Woods to the District 1 […]
A special election will take place on October 8 for City Council Districts 1, 6, and 7.
The seats were filled through appointments following vacancies late last year and early January.
The council appointed Clinton Woods to the District 1 seat formerly held by current Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales.
Crystal Smitherman was appointed to the District 6 seat previously held by current Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson.
Following the resignation of Jay Roberson, who left the council after moving to Alabaster, the council appointed Wardine Alexander to the District 7 seat.
Campaign Finance New York: “Ethics Cloud Hangs Over de Blasio as He Weighs Presidential Run” by William Neuman for New York Times Oklahoma: “Donations to Lawmakers Keep Flowing Even as They Vote on Bills” by Trvor Brown for Oklahoma Watch […]
Campaign Finance
New York: “Ethics Cloud Hangs Over de Blasio as He Weighs Presidential Run” by William Neuman for New York Times
Oklahoma: “Donations to Lawmakers Keep Flowing Even as They Vote on Bills” by Trvor Brown for Oklahoma Watch
Ethics
National: “Trump Would Have Been Charged with Obstruction Were He Not President, Hundreds of Former Federal Prosecutors Assert” by Matt Zapotosky (Washington Post) for MSN
New Hampshire: “What Counts as a Campaign Expense? For Some Lawmakers, It Includes Flowers and Dry Cleaning” by Casey McDermott for New Hampshire Public Radio
Lobbying
National: “Biden Faces Dilemma Over K Street Allies” by Alex Gangitano for The Hill
Arizona: “Arizona Attorney General Investigating Former Republican Lawmaker for Lobbying Activity” by Ryan Randazzo for Arizona Republic
New York: “For Years, Top NY Lobbying Firm Went Unpaid for Campaign Work” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union
Pennsylvania: “Eight Demonstrators Removed from Pa. House Gallery After Showering Money on Lawmakers; 17 Cited in All” by Charles Thompson for PennLive
Annapolis City Hall via Preserve Maryland
On May 5, Mayor Gavin Buckley issued a proclamation declaring the Ward 6 council seat vacant after the resignation of former Alderwoman Shaneka Henson. Henson was selected to complete the term of the late Michael Busch in the Maryland House […]
On May 5, Mayor Gavin Buckley issued a proclamation declaring the Ward 6 council seat vacant after the resignation of former Alderwoman Shaneka Henson.
Henson was selected to complete the term of the late Michael Busch in the Maryland House of Delegates.
Henson resigned after last Monday’s regular City Council meeting.
According to the City Charter, the Mayor had to issue a proclamation to fill the council seat within five days after receiving the resignation and schedule the dates for a special election.
The dates for the two special elections are the primary on June 4, with the general on July 2.
The New York City Campaign Finance Board will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Campaign Finance Program. Amendments address disclosure, contributions, expenditures, public fund payments, and disclosure of independent expenditures. Proposed rules amend and clarify the following […]
The New York City Campaign Finance Board will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Campaign Finance Program.
Amendments address disclosure, contributions, expenditures, public fund payments, and disclosure of independent expenditures.
Proposed rules amend and clarify the following sections:
- The reporting requirement of an in-kind contribution’s fair market value
- The next contribution limit adjustment to occur in 2022
- Enumerate the categories of prohibited contributions
- Cash contributions from a single source
- Attribution of expenditures after the date of a contested primary
- Update other provisions of the Campaign Finance Program
The public hearing on the proposed rules will take place on June 13.
